AITJ Weekly Digest is a flexible but effective report that focus on what is happening in the world in the areas of our interest and concern such as foreign affairs, human rights, enlargement, relations between Africa and Europe and so on. Every week, this press review intends to provide an overview of news, updates and all new developments concerning the defence of human rights, the fight against impunity and international relations in the broadest sense.
Mystery surrounds Algeria article branded ‘complete fabrication’ by UN rights office
UN News, 04 september
The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) is dismissing as a “complete fabrication” an Algerian news report claiming that a UN tribunal has rejected a complaint by a group of political activists. In an article posted online on Tuesday, the Algérie Presse Service (APS) listed the reasons why “the Geneva Office of the United Nations Dispute Tribunal” had turned away the complaint in just 24 hours.
End secret detention of rights defender, independent experts urge Pakistani authorities
UN News, 04 september
The experts said they are seriously concerned for the life of Idris Khattak – an activist who worked on a number of reports on disappearances in Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas – as he has not had contact with the outside world since he was taken into custody by Pakistani Military Intelligence on 13 November 2019.
Afghanistan: Statement by the High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell on the terrorist attack in Kabul
European Commission, 09 september 2020
The European Union strongly condemns the attack against First Vice President Amrullah Saleh and expresses its full support to the democratic institutions of the Republic. We express our condolences to and solidarity with the families of the civilian bystanders who were killed and wish those injured in the attack a full and swift recovery.
Overturned verdict on Khashoggi murder a ‘parody of justice’ – independent UN rights expert
UN News, 08 september 2020
An independent UN human rights investigator called the overturned verdict of Saudi Arabia’s prosecutor in the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey a "parody of justice" that spared "high-level" plotters.
Alexei Navalny poisoning must get independent probe, says UN’s Bachelet
UN News, 08 september 2020
UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet on Tuesday urged Russia to carry out or cooperate with a rapid and transparent criminal investigation into the poisoning of opposition activist Alexei Navalny.
UN denounces Kabul attack targeting Afghan Vice President
UN News, 09 september 2020
The United Nations has strongly condemned the attack, on Wednesday 09 september, in Kabul, targeting the official convoy of Afghanistan’s First Vice President Amrullah Saleh. The Vice President survived the attack but dozens of civilian casualties – mostly bystanders – were reported in the blast, which took place in a crowded part of the city.
Secretary General gravely concerned by human rights violations in Belarus
Council of Europe NewsRoom , 08 september 2020
The Secretary General of the 47-nation Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, has made the following statement concerning Belarus:
“The Council of Europe is gravely concerned about the latest threats to human rights in Belarus. The reported harassment and persecution of members of the Coordination Council is extremely worrying, as are the renewed arrests of the representatives of civil society and simple participants of manifestations...’
United Nations: Phone call between HR/VP Josep Borrell and Secretary-General António Guterres
EEAS News, 10 september 2020
EU High Representative/Vice-President, Josep Borrell, held a phone call with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, on 10 September 2020.
The call was an opportunity to exchange views on several important issues. In particular, High Representative Borrell debriefed the UN Secretary-General on the outcome of his recent trip to Libya, as well as on European Union responses to the situations in Belarus and in the Eastern Mediterranean following the informal Foreign Ministers’ meeting held on 27-28 August.